The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Takes On HIV and AIDS

As part of its effort to increase HIV/AIDS awareness, knowledge, and action among African Americans, The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) marked World AIDS Day by addressing the stigma that continues to surround the disease, and drawing attention to statutes that unfairly target people living with HIV/AIDS.

CBCF representatives joined with HIV/AIDS experts and activists at the International Conference on HIV-Related Stigma: the Attitude that Spreads HIV, a day-long gathering at Howard University, before participating in a Capitol Hill briefing on HIV-specific criminalization statutes and prosecutions.

That people living with HIV have faced arrest and prosecution solely because of their health status, "is totally unacceptable," said Elsie L. Scott, CBCF president and chief executive officer. "We need to build awareness that will begin to decrease the numbers of new cases." More on the CBCF, Howard University event here.